When Wei Qing stepped into the main hall of Huayang Palace, she saw Wang Qingyao and the Second Prince sitting on either side of Consort Wei, chatting and laughing.
Consort Wei wore a smile, appearing to be thoroughly enjoying the conversation.
The three of them looked like a family, exuding an aura of filial piety and harmonious joy.
Wei Qing's body trembled with anger.
Wei Yu also grumbled with dissatisfaction, "What is this? Auntie actually likes her? Didn't Eldest Brother tell Auntie?"
Wei Qing and Wei Yu had heard about Xiao Yun's rampage at the Grand Tutor's mansion, how he had damaged the Wei family's reputation and extorted twenty thousand taels of silver.
When Wei Wenbin had declared he would go to the palace, he hadn't yet known that Xiao Yun had demanded twenty thousand taels from the Wei family.
At the time, he had spoken those words merely to scare Xiao Yun, not genuinely intending to go to the palace.
Upon returning and hearing about the money, he had become furious.
As the legitimate eldest son of the Wei family's eldest branch, he was destined to inherit the Wei family's legacy. He naturally felt that everything belonging to the Wei family was his, including that twenty thousand taels of silver.
He immediately sent a request to enter the palace, indignantly condemning Xiao Yun's wicked deeds, claiming he was abusing the Emperor's favor to act atrociously and show no regard for Consort Wei.
An ordinary person, provoked in such a manner, would surely rush to the Emperor to seek justice for their family.
But Consort Wei was no ordinary person.
She was a favored consort, and moreover, a favored consort who believed she and the Emperor shared true love.
In her eyes, the Emperor was paramount. Her sons and family had to take a backseat.
She was certainly not one of those seductive consorts who, relying on their favor, schemed to benefit their families and caused trouble for the Emperor by blurring right and wrong!
She said, "The deceased should be respected. Since Steward Ji killed someone, compensation is only right. Prince Ding'an is not short of twenty thousand taels, nor is our Grand Tutor's mansion. Why be so aggressive and dwell on this matter?"
Wei Wenbin listened, dumbfounded. Twenty thousand taels of silver! Her Ladyship spoke so casually!
"The Emperor is busy with state affairs. Let's not bother him with such a small matter. If you are still displeased, I will make up the twenty thousand taels for the family."
Wei Wenbin stammered, "How could I possibly let Your Ladyship incur such an expense?"
Consort Wei had merely said it in passing. Despite being a favored consort, she did not possess such a large sum of cash, nor did she have any silver notes.
She had many valuable items, all bestowed by the Emperor. These were imperial gifts, which could not be sold but only kept as treasures.
Consort Wei selected a box for him. He hesitated whether to accept it or not, but ultimately took it. Upon returning to the mansion, he did not mention that Consort Wei had sided with Prince Ding'an. Instead, he claimed that Her Ladyship was also quite upset and, out of respect for the Emperor, had asked the Wei family not to pursue the matter further, and had also bestowed many good things.
Wang Qingyao was Xiao Yun's betrothed princess, soon to be married. In the eyes of the Wei family, she and Xiao Yun were as close as two peas in a pod, essentially one person.
Consort Wei had actually failed to seize this opportunity to seek justice for the Wei family and instead engaged in pleasant conversation?
Could it be that the Second Prince had said something?
The thought of this possibility made Wei Qing's face turn ashen, her eyes reddening.
Wei Yu, leaning against her, whispered, "She's about to get married, yet she's so intimate with another man. Truly fickle. Sister, we must teach her a lesson."
Wei Qing was lost in thought and didn't quite hear Wei Yu. "What?"
"I will stand up for you, sister."
The two of them stepped forward to pay their respects to Consort Wei and the Second Prince.
Wei Qing's emotions were evident on her face, and she was unwilling to formally greet Wang Qingyao. Wei Yu, however, acted as if nothing was amiss. Being younger and possessing a charming, innocent appearance, a few casual words from her could disarm people.
The Second Prince adopted a haughty demeanor, displaying a certain imperial dignity, which earned him several glares from Consort Wei.
"What's wrong with Qing'er? You look so unwell. Has someone bullied you?" Consort Wei asked with concern.
Wei Qing replied softly, "Thank you for your concern, Auntie. It's just the heat, I'm feeling a bit unwell."
Upon hearing this, Consort Wei ordered someone to fetch some cooling ointment and personally applied it to the temples on either side of Wei Qing's head.
"Feeling any better?"
"Much better, thank you, Auntie."
"My dear child, why are you being so polite with me?" Consort Wei was very affectionate. After washing her hands, she invited Wei Qing and Wei Yu to have some fruits.
Wei Yu's eyes curved into crescents, and she unceremoniously picked the fruits she liked, making Consort Wei laugh again.
Wei Qing couldn't eat. She sat down beside Wang Qingyao and stared intently at her.
Wang Qingyao: "Are you attracted to me?"
Wei Qing: "..."
Wang Qingyao: "Haha, just kidding. Don't be so serious."
Wei Qing's face remained stern. "Not funny."
Wang Qingyao sheepishly shifted her body to the side.
The Second Prince grew even more displeased with Wei Qing. The conversation had been going smoothly, but with her arrival, her sullen expression made it seem as if everyone owed her money, dampening the mood and making it difficult for everyone to continue chatting happily.
The Second Prince was quite annoyed. He stood up and bid farewell to Consort Wei, "Mother Consort, I have matters to attend to elsewhere, so I shall not disturb you further."
Consort Wei scoffed, "What matters could you possibly have? Sit down. Have lunch before you leave."
Second Prince: "Ah?"
The weather was hot, and Consort Wei had little in the way of entertainment. There were no other consorts in the inner palace who could share the Emperor's favor, and no one dared to cause her trouble, making her days somewhat dull.
With so many people gathered, Consort Wei was not about to let them go.
She immediately ordered the palace attendants to set up a table and have the younger generation play mahjong with her.
Wei Qing and Wei Yu were sisters and could not be at the table simultaneously. Wei Yu pushed Wei Qing forward to play, "Sister, you're also good at mahjong. Go and defeat Wang Qingyao."
Wang Qingyao did not know how to play mahjong; this was her first time.
But it didn't matter. She had clairvoyant eyes. After listening to Consort Wei explain the rules once, she gradually got the hang of it.
The mahjong table was also a battlefield. It was difficult to win against Consort Wei. The Second Prince was good-tempered, and Wei Qing was from the Wei family, so there was no need to be polite.
She focused on winning against these two, while deliberately letting Consort Wei win. After several rounds, she and Consort Wei had won a considerable amount, while Wei Qing and the Second Prince had lost everything.
Wei Qing surprisingly seemed quite happy. Her expression had been grim when she first sat down, but the more she lost, the happier she became.
Wang Qingyao thought to herself: Is this girl perhaps not quite right in the head?
The Second Prince refused to play any longer. "The yin is too strong for the yang. I'm destined to lose. I'm not playing anymore, not playing anymore. You're all just ganging up on me."
Consort Wei shot him a glare. "Didn't Qing'er lose too? If your skills are poor, they're poor. Don't make excuses."
The Second Prince put on a mournful face. "Mother Consort, please spare me. If I lose any more, I won't have food to eat next month."
He was deliberately trying to amuse Consort Wei. As a prince, he wouldn't lack food in the palace.
Consort Wei was amused by his antics and also seemed a bit tired. She ordered the mahjong table to be cleared and instructed that the meal be served.
She then asked Wang Qingyao what she liked to eat and if she had any dietary restrictions.
Wang Qingyao: "I'm fine with anything. I'm not picky about food, as long as it's delicious."
"Oh my, you're so easy to please," Consort Wei laughed again.
Wei Yu chimed in with a laugh, "I remember Second Cousin was the same. He'd eat whatever was given to him."
The Second Prince said with a serious expression, "One meal, one dish, one should remember its hard-won nature. We hold high positions and have no lack of food or clothing; we should cherish it even more."
Wei Qing's expression soured again. She was quite picky about her food, refusing to eat certain things.
Was the Second Prince implying that she didn't cherish food?
Wang Qingyao said, "There's no need to be so strict. Everyone has different preferences. As long as one doesn't waste food intentionally, it's fine."